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Week 8 DraftKings Fantasy Football Plays: Cooper Kupp, Jalen Hurts, and More

Week 8 DraftKings Plays - Cooper Kupp and Jalen Hurts should have fantastic outings in DFS and should lead to a hefty payout.
Cooper Kupp Fantasy

Week 7 is in the books and we’re back to a slightly bigger slate again. One of the best aspects of fantasy football has become playing on DraftKings. Every week is like a new puzzle to figure out. Whether you are more of a cash game player or a tournament player, each presents a unique challenge. Let’s take a look at some favorable Week 8 DraftKings plays.

Week 8 DraftKings Fantasy Football Plays

Week 7 Recap

It’s always good to be completely transparent and demonstrate accountability. Whether it’s bold takes or DraftKings recommendations, let’s keep track of wins and losses. It’s not only good for the readers to know, but also helps to learn from mistakes moving forward.

Looking back at Week 7, it was slightly worse than Week 6. This week 52% of recommendations hit the 2.5x value we look for in cash game lineups. This time the quarterback group led the way with an 80% success rate. Meanwhile, the running back group brought up the rear this week with a 14.3% success rate. It was another week in the negative. The cash build won five of the seven double-ups and went 8-10 in H2H’s. 

  • Week 7 – $340 → $281 ($59 LOSS)
  • Year Total – $2,122 → $2,473 ($351 PROFIT)

Week 7 DraftKings Plays

Quarterbacks

Jalen Hurts (PHI) – $7,200 @ DET

All Jalen Hurts does is turn in good fantasy days. Sometimes it doesn’t look pretty and it might take until the fourth quarter but he always comes through. Seriously though, his worst game of the season was still good for 21.8 DraftKings points and has returned value every week this year. Hurts is currently averaging 26 DraftKings points per game. His rushing ability is what has given him such a great floor. So far on the season, he has 66 carries for 361 yards and five touchdowns. The matchup this week against the Detroit Lions is about as sweet as it gets. While the Lions haven’t allowed a ton of DraftKings points to opposing quarterbacks so far, they are the least efficient passing defense in the NFL. On top of that, Hurts can beat you both through the air and on the ground. The combined total sits at a nice 48 and the Philadelphia Eagles implied total is at 26. The cherry on top is this game will be played in a dome. Expect Hurts to continue his streak of good games and return great value.

Carson Wentz (IND) – $5,700 v TEN

Carson Wentz has been ballin out a bit lately. He has exactly two passing touchdowns in each of the last four games. On the season Wentz has 11 passing touchdowns and only one interception. He’s definitely having the bounce-back season the Indianapolis Colts were hoping for when they traded for him. He isn’t running as much as in his younger days but he’s still pitching in a little with his legs too with 97 rushing yards and a score on the ground on the season. This week’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans is enticing. The Titans are allowing the eighth-most DraftKings points to quarterbacks so far. This game has a very nice 51 point combined total and will be played in a dome. It’s also projected to be a back-and-forth game so Wentz could be a great option when spending down this week.

Others to Consider: Josh Allen (BUF) – $8,100 v MIA, Matthew Stafford (LAR) – $7,600 @ HOU, Tom Brady (TB) – $7,400 @ NO

Running Backs

Jonathan Taylor (IND) – $7,200 v TEN

After a slow start, Jonathan Taylor has come alive over the past four games. Through three weeks, he scored single-digit DraftKings points twice and topped out at 17.6. Since then, Taylor hasn’t scored less than 22 DraftKings points. He’s had at least 110 total yards and a touchdown in all four games. Taylor is a bit touchdown-dependent but he has seen a bit more targets recently. Ultimately, he’s one of the most explosive running backs in the league and can take any touch to the house. This week’s matchup against the Titans is solid. The Colts are home favorites, in a dome, with a 27-point implied total. Assuming Taylor gets his normal workload, he should have no problem returning value again this week.

Darrell Henderson (LAR) – $6,500 @ HOU

Yes, Darrell Henderson was a bust last week after being the most popular running back on the slate, but let’s double down here and go back to the well. Despite busting, he still saw a workhorse workload. Henderson saw 15 carries and six targets but just wasn’t able to get anything going. His snap share was 88% and his snap share on the season is a healthy 81.4%. This week Henderson gets another great matchup against the Houston Texans. The Texans are one of the worst teams and defenses in the NFL. As it currently sits, the Los Angeles Rams are massive 15.5-point favorites and have an implied total of 31 points, the second-most on the slate. Henderson is in the same position that made him so popular last week so there’s no reason to go away from him. Hopefully, fewer people will play him having been burned last week making him an even better GPP play.

Khalil Herbert (CHI) – $5,400 v SF

It was a bit of a surprise to see Khalil Herbert keep a huge workload even with Damien Williams back. It was even more of a surprise to see him produce 133 total yards, including 100 on the ground, against the vaunted Tampa Bay Buccaneers rush defense. He’s looked extremely impressive and has played at least 77% of the snaps the last two weeks. His usage in the passing game has steadily increased as well. There is some concern that Williams could see more work this week but Herbert has earned the right to continue to be the workhorse. This week’s matchup against the San Francisco 49ers is not ideal but it’s nothing to be scared of. The combined total is low at 39.5 and the Chicago Bears implied total is all the way down at 18. This one, though, is all about the workload at a low price.

Others to Consider: Joe Mixon (CIN) – $6,900 @ NYJ, D’Andre Swift (DET) – 7,100 v PHI, Derrick Henry (TEN) – $8,900 @ IND, Elijah Mitchell (SF) – $5,400 @ CHI

Wide Receivers

Cooper Kupp (LAR) – $9,000 @ HOU

Cooper Kupp is on a historic pace right now. Through seven games he’s already racked up 809 yards and nine touchdowns on 56 receptions. That puts him on pace to finish with 136 catches for 1,964 yards and 22 touchdowns. That yardage total would set an NFL record. Kupp hasn’t had a single game with less than 10 targets yet. As previously mentioned, the matchup against the Texans is a juicy one. The Rams have a massive 31-point implied total. The Texans secondary is no match for this high-powered Rams offense. This game is also being played in a dome which is even more of a boost for the passing games. There’s no reason to expect Kupp to slow down in this one.

Tee Higgins (CIN) – $5,200 @ NYJ

This may come as a surprise but Tee Higgins is actually the leader in target share on the Cincinnati Bengals. Ja’Marr Chase has been the wide receiver stealing all the headlines and has the most production so far but it’s been Higgins that is actually getting targeted more often. Higgins showed playmaking ability last year as a rookie. Just last week he saw 15 targets. That type of target volume is hard to find, let alone at a cheap price tag. This week’s matchup against the New York Jets is a great one. While the Jets haven’t allowed a ton of DraftKings points to wide receivers so far, they are one of the worst defenses in the league. The Bengals have a nice 27-point implied total as well and should be able to move the ball with ease. With everyone enamored over Chase, it may be Higgins who ends up being the much better play on this slate.

Jerry Jeudy (DEN) – $4,900 v WFT

Admittedly, it’s a bit risky to start a player in their first week back from injury. However, all reports from the Denver Broncos camp were that Jerry Jeudy was close to returning last week and should be full-go this week. Assuming full health, this price is simply too cheap considering what we saw in Week 1 before Jeudy got hurt. In the opener, he saw seven targets and racked up six catches for 72 yards. This week he gets a soft landing spot against the Washington Football Team. Washington has done a complete 180 on defense this year. Last year they were one of the best defenses in the league and they’ve turned into one of the worst. They’ve allowed the second-most DraftKings points to wide receivers so far this year. They can be attacked via the air much better than on the ground. Assuming Jeudy is back to his full health and role, he should have no issue with having a good game.

Others to Consider: Stefon Diggs (BUF) – $8,100 v MIA, Chris Godwin (TB) –  $6,400 @ NO, Michael Pittman (IND) – $5,300 v TEN, DeVonta Smith (PHI) – $5,500 @ DET, Calvin Ridley (ATL) – $6,600 v CAR

Tight Ends

Dallas Goedert (PHI) – $4,700 @ DET

It’s an interesting slate at tight end this week. Kyle Pitts is really only the true spend-up option at the position. Dallas Goedert, however, looks like the most expensive tight end to consider for cash builds this week. Goedert has a great setup this week. As previously mentioned, this game is very enticing for the Eagles, especially in the passing game. Miles Sanders was placed on the IR so they may become a bit more pass-heavy than previous games. This Lions defense can’t defend the pass whatsoever. Zach Ertz was also traded recently which should open up even more snaps and routes for Goedert. Playing as a top passing option against a horrible pass defense, with a nice implied total, and in a dome is a nice spot for any tight end to be. Goedert is a great play and will likely be one of the most popular tight ends this week.

Dan Arnold (JAX) – $2,800 @ SEA

Dan Arnold was traded a few weeks back and has had an instant impact with his new team. He’s seen 13 targets over the past two weeks. Arnold has also played at least 62% of the snaps in the past two games as well. He’s not a high-end play by any means but it’s not often there’s a tight end at this cheap of a price playing this many snaps and running this many routes. The game environment is pretty good too. This isn’t your dad’s Seattle Seahawks defense. The Legion of Boom is but a distant memory at this point. This game only has a 44.5-point combined total right now but both these teams have better offenses than defenses. The Jacksonville Jaguars are 3.5-point underdogs as well so they should have to keep throwing to keep up. If trying to save money, Arnold is one of the best punt plays this week.

Others to Consider: Kyle Pitts (ATL) – $6,300 v CAR, Hunter Henry (NE) – $4,200 @ LAC, Ricky Seals-Jones (WFT) – $3,800 @ DEN

Defense/Special Teams

In terms of choosing a defense/special teams, it’s the last spot to fill in every week. It’s pretty random but there are a few areas to gain an advantage. Look to target the heavily favored teams as they usually are playing with a lead. This forces their opponent to throw it more often which can help lead to extra sacks and turnovers and hopefully a touchdown. Another aspect to target is turnover and sack-prone quarterbacks. The best advice is to fill out the rest of your lineup first and then pick your favorite D/ST out of the remaining money.

Tentative Cash Game Lineup

  • QB – Jalen Hurts
  • RB – Darrell Henderson
  • RB – Khalil Herbert
  • WR – Cooper Kupp
  • WR – Calvin Ridley
  • WR – Tee Higgins
  • TE – Dallas Goedert
  • Flex – Nico Collins
  • DST – Washington Football Team

Make sure to tune in next week to see the results from the Week 8 DraftKings plays and to see the best picks for Week 9. Best of luck to everyone and let’s all enjoy some football and win some money!

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